IMPROVEMENT OF THE FOREST 193 



fast-growing sprouts which overtop and injure the pine 

 trees. Unless the stand is cleaned in early life, there 

 may be a very large percentage of loss to the pine. The 

 author is familiar with one plantation of pine which was 

 practically destroyed in this way. 



There is often a considerable growth of brush which 

 competes with valuable young trees. Thus, in Penn- 

 s\'lvania such shrubs as scrub oak, sweet-fern, blueberry, 

 etc., injure an immense amount of valuable young tree 

 growth. This damage can practically be eliminated by 

 cleanings. 



Cleanings are made in young stands as soon as the 

 overtopping trees begin to be injurious. The first cut- 

 ting is usually made within the first 10 years after the 

 establishment of reproduction. The best plan is to make 

 a cleaning within the first five years, and then go over the 

 ground a second time within the next five years. 



The trees are either cut down at the base or they are 

 lopped. Sometimes the lopping of a single branch is 

 sufficient to release a crowded tree permanently. It may 

 occasionally be the best plan to lop of? the head of a tree, 

 leaving a high stub. This is done when there \yould be 

 danger of rapid sprouting from low stumps and the over- 

 topping of the released trees. 



In making cleanings, the forester must make it a point 

 to remove only that which is absolutely necessary for 

 accomplishing the purpose of the operation, and in this 

 way to hold down the expense of cutting. There is a 

 temptation to cut more than is necessary, and hence to 



